Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Works-for-Me Wednesday: Medicine Bag

This is the best bag ever.What makes it so perfect? It is a small backpack, probably about 1/3 of the size of a regular child's back pack. It is light and easy for my 5 year-old son to carry.

My son has a severe peanut allergy. He also has asthma. He needs to have his medicine handy at all times. The bag is small enough not to be burdensome and big enough to carry everything he might need. The bag contains an inhaler, two Epipens, Benedryl, and Allergy Visine.I have had people ask me if David has an Epipen and if he has it with him. We always have it with us. If you see him carrying this bag, now you know what is in it. Sometimes he doesn't carry it. Sometimes it is with me or my husband. His little brother insists on being the one to give it to and pick it up from David's preschool teacher. No matter what the situation, we make sure the medicine goes with David where ever he is. May 10-16 is Food Allergy Awareness Week. In a life-threatening allergic reaction, every second counts. If you know my son, I'd be happy to show you his medicine and explain what should happen in the case of an emergency. If you know someone else that has a severe allergy, take the time to ask questions and understand what should happen if an allergic reaction occurs.

22 comments:

It's amazing how that little bag carries items in there that can save his life!! You can never be too careful. If my child(ren) had peanut allergies I would make sure that had it with them all the time too. You never know when they would need it!

What a wonderful idea. I had a student once with a severe allergy and they kept the epipen in the office. I was always terrified I wouldn't be able to get down to the office in time, especially when we were on the playground. This is a fantastic way to keep the meds together and in a place where you can get to it easily!

We have meds (EpiPens, Benadryl) in our daughter's backpack, and an extra set in a makeup-type case that we use when we aren't hauling the entire backpack. We like the pre-dosed Benadryl and Benadryl tabs, but it's not always practical since our daughter's dose changes as she grows. Will the new school let him keep his meds in the classroom? And, at what age did he understand it was medicine? Our daughter thinks the two EpiPens are binoculars....

Yes, that is a great bag for a little kid! Alex has allergies and was advised to have an epipen, just in case! Not food allergies, but more seasonal, dog and cat, dust and has had a reaction similar to an asthma attack. This is a great idea and love it!

Great idea...I was wondering how young kids would carry their own Epi pens. You might be able to get a side business going selling small backpacks with allergy info sewn in and places for different meds.

What a great idea! My nephew has a peanut allergy, too. His numbers indicate that he'll grow out of it, and he has never had a severe reaction, but we carry his arsenal with us where ever he goes, too. The little backpack will be great for when he is older. :)